Thursday was the filing deadline for candidates to qualify in the May 4 party primary elections for county office.
In Bradley County, 66 of the 81 petitions picked up at the county election office were returned.
Filing minutes before the noon deadline was Paul Edward Krisle, 26, an employee of Peyton’s Southeastern. He is the only Democrat filing for the county mayor’s race. The Republican race features incumbent D. Gary Davis, County Commissioner Lisa Stanbery and local resident Chris Weir.
“The largest group of candidates is 13 in the Republican primary for County Commission in the 6th District,” Bradley Election Director Fran Green said. That surpasses 10 candidates in the 1st District commission race in 2006.
In Meigs County, 44 people filed petitions, Elections Director Deloris Grissom said.
She said it was also the deadline to file in nonpartisan races such as school board, and for independent candidates who will be on the Aug. 5 general election ballot.
In all, 58 candidates are running in Marion County party primaries.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXTThursday: Last day for primary candidates to withdrawApril 5: Last day before primary to register to voteApril 14-29: Early votingMay 4: Primary election daySource: Tennessee Election Commission
Last-minute petitions are unusual, Marion Elections Director Holly Henegar said.
“By now we usually have all the candidates filed we know we are going to have,” she said Wednesday as County Commission candidate Jane Dawkins filed paperwork.
A wide-open county mayor’s race — longtime Mayor Howell Moss is not seeking re-election — drew a long slate of candidates. They include Republicans Gary Ellis and Russ Hood and Democrats David Kirk, Roy E. Mason and Joseph Payne.
In each county, candidates will be seeking party nominations in races ranging from constable to county mayor, county commission seats, county clerk, register of deeds, trustee, sheriff and circuit court clerk.